NFL

Falcons 24, Redskins 17

LANDOVER, Md. (AP)

Robert Griffin III isn't the type of quarterback to run out of
bounds, and Sean Weatherspoon knew it. The Atlanta Falcons
linebacker kept up the pursuit and went for the tackle. His upper
body rammed into the helmet of the rookie who doesn't shy from
contact.

Griffin was down and done. A mild concussion, according to
Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan. On a day in which the
Falcons' usually powerful offense was a bit out of sync, the
defense had made a play that changed the game.

Matt Ryan went on to lead three scoring drives in the fourth
quarter Sunday, scraping together enough points for a 24-17 win
that gave the Falcons their first 5-0 start in franchise
history.

''I felt like he was still turning upfield, so I was just trying
to make a play,'' Weatherspoon said. ''Most quarterbacks would
probably slide out of bounds or run out of bounds, but he's a tough
guy.''

And there was no dispute. It was a clean hit.

''It felt like a good play,'' Weatherspoon said. ''I think it
gave us a little energy.''

The play turned a third-and-goal from the 3 to a fourth-and-goal
from the 5 late in the third quarter. The Redskins then kicked a
field goal to take 10-7 lead, and Griffin's replacement, fellow
rookie Kirk Cousins, managed one big play in his NFL debut that put
Washington in front one more time in the fourth quarter.

But, otherwise, the post-Griffin section of the game belonged to
the Falcons. Julio Jones dexterously got both feet inbounds on an
18-yard catch just beyond the pylon. Matt Bryant stayed perfect on
the year with a 53-yard field goal. Michael Turner ran 13 yards for
the go-ahead score with 2:46 to play. The defense intercepted
Cousins twice in the final two minutes.

The Falcons, mistakes and all, remain the only unbeaten team in
the NFC.

''I don't know why you want to ask me any questions,'' Atlanta
receiver Roddy White joked as he stood at his locker. ''We stunk it
up in early in the game.''

The Falcons didn't score until the final minute of the first
half, but Ryan kept throwing and throwing and throwing. He finished
with 34 completions on 52 attempt for 345 yards with two touchdowns
and one interception - a screen pass picked off by Washington
linebacker Ryan Kerrigan and run back 28 yards for the game's first
score. Ryan also fumbled away a snap, Atlanta's first lost fumble
of the season.

Ryan guided Atlanta to his 18th career game-winning drive in the
fourth quarter or overtime. That is the most by a quarterback in
his first five seasons in the Super Bowl era.

Tony Gonzalez caught 13 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.
The TD was the 99th of his career, tying Gonzalez for eighth in NFL
history with Hall of Famer Don Hutson.

Jones had 10 receptions for 94 yards. White snagged four passes
for 68 yards. Turner ran for 67 yards on 18 carries. Impressive
numbers - until you remember that Washington has one of the worst
pass defenses in the NFL.

''We were our own worst enemies in the first half,'' Atlanta
coach Mike Smith said.

The Redskins (2-3), losing their eighth consecutive home game,
were meanwhile left to deal with an ironic wound. There was
abundant concern that Griffin was susceptible to injury when he was
taking hard hits while running option plays frequently in his first
three games.

But Shanahan scaled back the option over the last two weeks.
Griffin didn't have a designed run play Sunday. He ended up getting
hurt while scrambling because he couldn't find an open receiver -
something that every quarterback does.

Team spokesman Tony Wyllie said the Heisman Trophy winner was
examined by an independent neurologist before being sent home from
the stadium and will be evaluated again Monday. Griffin also got a
cut on his chin.

''When he wasn't really sure what the score was, what quarter it
was, we knew he had a mild concussion,'' Shanahan said.

About three hours after the game, Griffin tweeted: ''I'm ok and
I think after all the testing I will play next week.''

Cousins, a fourth-round pick from Michigan State, went
three-and-out in his first possession. Sav Rocca shanked the punt,
and the Falcons drove 47 yards to take a 14-10 lead on Jones'
catch.

But Cousins put the Redskins ahead again about a minute later,
when Santana Moss ran deep down the middle without a defender
anywhere near him. The 77-yard pass made the score 17-14 early in
the fourth quarter.

Ryan came back with two drives that gave the Falcons the win.
Bryant's field goal tied the game, and Turner's run was the
decisive score.

Cousins had two more chances to rally the Redskins, but Dunta
Robinson and Thomas DeCoud picked him off to end Washington's final
two drives.

''With Robert not being in there, definitely allowed them to
change up their scheme,'' said Redskins running back Alfred Morris,
who ran 115 yards on 18 carries. ''They were flying downhill a lot
faster. It definitely affected our running game. Once he wasn't in
anymore, they were just able to pin their ears back.''

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